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Funding Opportunities

Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity

We participate in a Funding Opportunities Working Group. This page is a collection of current funding opportunities across Illinois.

      • DCEO 

       

        • Route 66 Grant Program
          • Description: “The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the “Department” or “DCEO”) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to award grants to certified convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) for the development of tourism, education, preservation and promotion of the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in 2026.”
          • Eligibility includes: “convention and visitors bureaus certified by the Department pursuant to 20 ILCS 605/605-707”
          • Award Range: $20,000 - $300,000
          • Deadline: September 16, 2024 at 5:00PM

       

        • COMING SOON
          • “The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is planning to re-release the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the following Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) workforce programs in select regions:
            • Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program (Workforce Hubs). Regions that will be accepting applications: Danville, Peoria, Kankakee, Carbondale
            • Energy Transition Navigator Program. Regions that will be accepting applications: Kankakee, Champaign 

       

      Attend a NOFO Outreach Event

      Interested potential applicants are encouraged to attend a virtual outreach event on August 28th to learn about the funding opportunity and resources available to applicants to help them apply. The event will take place on August 28th from 10:00 am – 11:30 am via Zoom. REGISTER HERE.

       

      The NOFO will be publicly released shortly after the outreach event. Applications for these target regions will be due November 1st.”

       

        • For a complete list of DCEO grants, please visit our website. Please note there are several due June 2024 that I didn’t list in case you want to go to our website and review those now.

       

        • Illinois Works Bid Credit Program
          • Eligibility: “Contractors or subcontractors that employ apprentices that have completed the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program on any project (stated or privately funded) are eligible to earn bid credits they can use to make their bids for future state-funded public works projects more competitive.”
          • Bid Credit Range: varies, here is more info on bid credits

       

      • Additional State
        • Capital Development Board  - Solicitations

       

       

       

        • Illinois Treasurer’s Office – Charitable Trust Grant
          • Description: Open to
            • Small non-profits that have charitable programs in: Food, Economic & Workforce Development
            • Additional criteria listed on the Illinois Treasurer’s website, click HERE.
          • Award Range: grants of up to $20,000
          • Deadline: September 30, 2024

       

        • HOME-ARP Non-Congregate Shelter (NCS) Development Program – Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA)
          • Description: “IHDA has released this Request for Applications for the development of Non-Congregate Shelter (“NCS”) through the federal HOME-ARP Program. HOME-ARP defines NCS as one or more buildings that provide private units or rooms as temporary shelter to individuals and families and does not require occupants to sign a lease or occupancy agreement. With this funding, IHDA seeks to expand the availability of quality emergency shelter space statewide in order to better serve Illinois’ residents with the greatest need for emergency housing resources.” “Eligible applicants must be current shelter providers that participate in the Emergency Solutions Grant Program or the Emergency & Transitional Housing Program administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services or have another verifiable operating funding source.”
          • Deadline: “All interested applicants must submit a complete Preliminary Project Assessment by Monday, October 7, 2024…Applications are due to IHDA by 5:00 p.m. CST on Thursday, February 20, 2025.”

       

      • Federal Government

       

        • Academy of Women Entrepreneurs
          • Description: “The U.S. Mission to the UAE announces this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for organizations to submit proposals to implement the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) in the UAE. The 14-month program will include a 4–6-month training and mentorship program to support at least 20 UAE-based, women-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs) build the knowledge, skills, and networks to expand market reach by taking advantage of the UAE entrepreneurship ecosystem and bilateral trade opportunities.” Eligible applicants includes: “Not-for-profit organizations (U.S. or UAE based) Think tanks Public and private educational institutions Public International Organizations and Governmental institutions”
          • Award Range: $150,000
          • Deadline: September 20, 2024

       

        • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program (Community Chamber Grants)
          • Description: “The Community Change Grants will fund community-driven projects that address climate challenges and reduce pollution while strengthening communities through thoughtful implementation. This historic level of support will enable communities and their partners to overcome longstanding environmental challenges and implement meaningful solutions to meet community needs now and for generations to come. There will be two tracks of funding under this opportunity. Track I will fund approximately 150 large, transformational community-driven investment grants of $10 million - $20 million. Track II will fund approximately 20 meaningful engagement grants of $1 million - $3 million.”. Here is a link to more info, click HERE.
          • Award Range: up to $20,000,000
          • Deadline: November 21, 2024 at 10:59 PM

       

      • Local Governments

       

        • City of Chicago – Request for Proposal for the Small Business and Non-for-profit Support Grant Program  
          • Description: “Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Small Business and Not-For-Profit Support Grant Program. Through this RFP, the City will select one (1) organization to serve as the administrator of the $21.5M Small Business and Not-For-Profit Support Grant Program. The program administrator will work with the City and BACP to provide grants to small businesses and nonprofits located in Chicago to assist in stabilizing their operations, supporting their workforce, and mitigating the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
          • Deadline: Friday, September 6, 2024 at 12:00pm

       

        • City of Chicago - Good Food Fund
          • Description: “The Good Food Fund will provide support to food entrepreneurs in communities with inequitable access to food.” This is round 2. Open to food and beverage entrepreneurs in Chicago that hold a current food and beverage business license, have an established business bank account and filed a federal tax return in 2023.
          • Award Range: $10,000 - $100,000
          • Deadline: September 13, 2024

       

       

        • Village of Gurnee – Impact Grant
          • Description: “This is a 1:1 matching grant open to a business of any size located within the Village of Gurnee corporate limits, generate sales tax, in good standing with the Village and compliant with all obligations, & a building owner of a qualifying business. No minimum project size with a rolling application period.”
          • Award Range: $10,000 - $20,000

       

      • Private/Community Resources

       

        • Obama Foundation - Translation & Interpretation Services Request for Qualifications (RFQ)
          • Description: “The Barack Obama Foundation will be seeking qualifications and quotes from vendors specializing in translation and interpretation services for one or more of the following languages: English, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin), French, Polish, and Tagalog. More information and deadlines will be provided upon execution of a Non-Disclosure Agreement.”

       

        • Small Certified Supplier Innovative Finance Program
          • Description: Open to certified minority-, women-, veteran-, and LGBTQ+ owned businesses (certified by national or state organizations) in the following states California, Georgia, Kansas, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Pennsylvania, or New Jersey. The annual revenue of the business should be between $250,000 to $10 million.
          • Award Range: $5,000

       

       

        • Community Foundation of Central Illinois
          • Description: Open to 501(c)3 nonprofits that serve individuals within a 50-mile radius surrounding the city of Peoria, Illinois, excluding Knox and McLean counties. There are 3 target areas:
            • Community Needs Grants – “Available to organizations offering programs that align with the Grantmaking Principles and Elements CFCI Supports (Community Development, Capacity Building, or Education).”
            • Women’s Fund Success Grants – “The Women's Fund endowment strengthens families and communities by providing grants to organizations whose programs help empower women and girls”
            • Local Jobs Fund – “The Local Jobs Fund was established to support projects that have a direct linkage to breaking the cycle of poverty by equipping people with the skills to earn significantly more than minimum wage.”
          • Award Range: depends on target area from up to $5,000, $15,000, etc.
          • Deadline: September 4, 2024 at 5pm

       

        • Game On-Community Places to Play Initiative
          • Description: Open nationwide to qualifying nonprofits 501(c)3 or elementary, middle, or high schools who provide athletic spaces to youth ages 6-24 in under-resourced communities.
          • Award Range: $50,000 to $100,000
          • Deadline: September 5, 2024

       

        • 2025 YCLC Fund - People’s Climate Innovation Center
          • Description: “The YCLC Fund provides financial awards to young BIPOC climate leaders [ages 18 – 32 years old] who are advocating for and transforming their communities toward racial and environmental justice.” Open nationwide.
          • Award Range: $2,000 - $10,000
          • Deadline: September 10, 2024

       

        • Simply Organic Giving Fund Grant Program
          • Description: “…committed to focusing the Simply Organic Giving Fund Grant Program on addressing an issue that’s especially persistent and critical… food insecurity. We’re working to help non-profit organizations across the United States and Canada to nourish the millions of food insecure in our communities by supporting organizations that provide access to nutrient-dense, organic food option”
          • Award Range: $30,000 - $100,000
          • Deadline: September 12, 2024

       

        • Fast Break for Small Business Grant Program
          • Description: Open nationwide “Small businesses that have been in operation for at least three months are eligible for a $10,000 small business grant and/or up to $500 in LegalZoom products and services. Entrepreneurs who have yet to launch their business are eligible for up to $500 in LegalZoom products and services.”
          • Award Range: “$10,000 small business grant and/or up to $500 in LegalZoom products and services”
          • Deadline: September 13, 2024 at 7pm

       

        • Heinz Black Kitchen Initiative Year 4
          • Description: Heinz “… in partnership with The Lee Initiative and SRRJ Coalition to provide more than $1MM in grants and other business resources to Black food businesses [“Food and service based, bakeries, restaurants, cafes, pop-ups, farmer's markets and catering”] businesses in communities nationwide.”
          • Award Range: $20,000
          • Deadline: September 15, 2024 by 10:59pm

       

        • Her Village Grants
          • Description: Open nationwide to qualifying nonprofits. “Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations that support female entrepreneurs through education, mentorship, financing, and/or other mission-aligned programming.”
          • Award Range: up to $30,000
          • Deadline: September 15, 2024

       

        • United Neighborhoods Equity Fund: Grant Application
          • Description: “The Fund is intended to support small organizations [nonprofits/501(c)3 or fiscally sponsored] located on Chicago's South and West Sides and in the south suburban region, ideally aligned with the United Way's of Metro Chicago's Neighborhood Network coalitions. Organizations with BIPOC leadership, rooted and respected in local communities, and with an interest in building new capacity are encouraged to apply.” “Budget of less than $1,000,000”
          • Award Range: $50,000 of unrestricted funds over 2 years
          • Deadline: September 16, 2024 at 5:00pm

       

        • Visiting Nurse Association of Chicago
          • Description: VNA Foundation awards grants to support [nonprofit/501c3] home– and community-based healthcare and health services for the medically underserved in Cook, Lake, McHenry, DuPage, Kane and Will counties — with a focus on Chicago
          • Award Range: “average grant is in the $35,000 to $50,000 range, and our maximum is generally $65,000 to $80,000”
          • Deadline: September 19, 2024 (Letter of Intent Due)

       

        • Adolf Busch Award
          • Description: “To recognize and honor organizations that use music to address social injustice, inequity and lack of opportunity.” Open to 501c3 organizations in the United States, who have been established for at least 3 years, have an operating budget of less than $3 million. For more information on eligibility click HERE.  One organization will be awarded.
          • Award Range: $10,000 “with smaller awards often given to additional compelling applicants”
          • Deadline: September 20, 2024 at 4pm

       

       

        • PepsiCo Juntos Crecemos Grant Program
          • Description: “PepsiCo’s Juntos Crecemos Grant Program, twenty (20) grants of $10,000 each will be awarded to small business owners in the food and beverage industry.” Open nationwide to “woman-owned restaurant, bodega, carnicería, catering service or food truck in the food and beverage industry,” who demonstrate a need for funds, and is willing to participate in a virtual boot camp beginning in January 2025.
          • Award Range: $10,000, virtual boot camp, and more
          • Deadline: September 27, 2024 at 5:00pm

       

       

       

        • Foot Locker Foundation Community Empowerment Program
          • Description: “LISC and Foot Locker, Inc., through the Foot Locker Foundation, are launching a fourth round of grants for the Foot Locker Foundation Community Empowerment Program, which funds nonprofit community organizations offering a range of services for young people, including health and wellness, education and life skills, mentoring, and career development”. Open to nonprofits, 501c3, in underserved communities in Chicago, IL. For additional cities, click HERE.
          • Award Range: $25,000 - $100,000
          • Deadline: September 30, 2024

       

        • Midland States Bank Foundation Fall Awards
          • Description: “[Midland States Bank Foundation] are proud to offer grants to non-profit organizations and initiatives that align with [their] key focus areas: education, work force development, financial empowerment, housing, small business development and health & wellness.” This grant is open to 501(c)3 or 501(c)6 organizations serving the communities in the geographic areas of Midland.
          • Award Range: $7,500+
          • Deadline: September 30, 2024

       

        • Hometown Grants – T-Mobile
          • Description: Open nationwide to small towns. “Elected officials, town managers/employees, tribal leaders, or nonprofit community leaders from small towns with population less than 50,000 can apply.” T-Mobile will “fund projects that foster local connections, like technology upgrades, outdoor spaces, the arts, and community centers.”
          • Award Range: up to $50,000
          • Deadline: September 30, 2024

       

        • Mission Sustainability Initiative (MSI) Grants via Forefont
          • Description: “…the Mission Sustainability Initiative (MSI) at Forefront provides grants to nonprofit organizations to support the exploration of long-term or permanent strategic partnerships.” This round is open to nonprofits/501(c)3 based in Cook, Lake, DuPage, Kane, and Kendall Counties.
          • Award Range: $5,000, a one-year complementary Forefront membership, and more
          • Deadline: October 2, 2024 at 5:00 pm

       

        • Spark Good Local Grant- Walmart
          • Description: “Each year, Walmart U.S. stores, Sam’s Clubs and Distribution Centers award local cash grants... These local grants are designed to address the unique needs of the communities where [they] operate”. Must have a Spark Good Account from Walmart.com. Open to nonprofits – 501(c)3, government entity, or “K-12 public or nonprofit private school, charter school, community/junior college, state/private college or university; or a church or other faith-based organization with a proposed project that benefits the community at large, such as food pantries, soup kitchens and clothing closets”, Read more about the eligibility at: https://walmart.org/how-we-give/program-guidelines/spark-good-local-grants-guidelines
          • Award Range: “range from a minimum of $250 to a maximum of $5,000”
          • Deadline: October 15, 2024
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